Dishes in lanai room, Florida condo

[polgyver]

Two years ago we vacationed in our good friends' condo in Florida, where I did some experiments with Dish turbo HD, posted in this Forum, Spring 2013.
This year, we had this opportunity to vacation there again, and I tried some other experiments.
Initially, I planned to insert a dish with long focal length into a lunch table having glass top, but, after arrival, it became obvious that it would not be possible, due to the table leg shape and construction.
Therefore, I tried to receive programs from 97 W, similarly like I did in Toronto - using plywood dish, which enabled reception of stronger transponders although with low SQ (30-38%).
Unfortunately, palm trees were on the Line Of Sight.
Luckily, our friend had spare Bell dish. I adopted it to FTA by replacing LNBF.
Finally, we could receive some programs when the small dish was placed in the lanai corner.
First 10 of 20 annotated pictures follow below:

 

[polgyver]

Next ten photos follow:

 

[bpalone]

Inquiring minds want to know. Were the contents of the Green Box consumed during these experiments?

Looks like you had fun and must have a very understanding wife. I would be in trouble for playing with my toys when it is supposed to be "family" time.

 

[spongella]

Polgyver

Want to say thanks for the well documented and totally interesting experiments. And beautiful woodworking on that flat dish. Folks have asked me about whether a dish can be mounted inside a house pointing out a window with any success, and the information you've provided gives insight at to what to expect. Wonder if the type of glass used would affect the signal, e.g. old time soda-lime glass versus the modern Low-e glass or even Plexiglas. Low-e glass contains a metallic coating, and it has been documented that it attenuates radio signals. Some studies even investigated attenuation based on frequency. If I remember correctly, higher attenuation is seen at higher i.e. vhf/uhf frequencies.

There are folks out there like you who like a challenge (such as QRP'ers) and your information and pictures are a glimmer of hope for those stuck with restrictive covenants or one who likes to stretch the limits of their equipment. Keep up the good work and experimenting. All you work is fascinating.

P.S. That flat dish could be morphed into a nice looking satellite dish-clock!

 

[Cham]

Dare you to install a 14' dish on the roof and then ask the Board of Directors if they are ok with that...
Perfect way to make new friends. :|
Better yet join the BoD maybe you could talk them into lightening up a bit...

Weather is nice down in Florida when it is cold up here, one still needs a hobby though, can't spend all your time at the beach!

 

[glen4cindy]

Just a question: In the first two photos, the octagon dish, and LNB look pretty far apart. Is that actually a working configuration? Or, are they not so far apart as they look?

 

[rglore]

Just a question: In the first two photos, the octagon dish, and LNB look pretty far apart. Is that actually a working configuration? Or, are they not so far apart as they look?

Because the dish is so shallow, almost flat, the focal point looks to be about 5 or 6 feet away where the LNB would have to be.

 

[polgyver]

Were the contents of the Green Box consumed during these experiments?

Not all, just some...
The Wife really likes just one program from 97 W, so, she is supportive. Besides, I did not spend too much time on these experiments.

 

[polgyver]

Just a question: In the first two photos, the octagon dish, and LNB look pretty far apart. Is that actually a working configuration? Or, are they not so far apart as they look?

This dish was calculated and milled for F = 150 cm, it was described earlier in a post titled "Machine for making dishes ...*** .
There are dimensions shown in first post, first picture.

 

[polgyver]

Folks have asked me about whether a dish can be mounted inside a house pointing out a window with any success,

Some forum members described it earlier. I also posted some pictures about receiving programs from 125 W with the dish standing in the room, close to the window:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/xen/thr...21-ku-125w-through-double-pane-window.325204/